When U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin visited the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce last week it would have been pretty hard for him to give a speech that didn't address the elephant in the room - immigration reform in Congress. Fortunately for Ryan and the country, he didn't even try to duck the issue.

The chairman of the House Budget Committee and the GOP's 2012 vice presidential nominee didn't exactly deliver a bombshell on the issue that divides his Republican Party. But he did say something of significance, something that could lead to real progress in 2014.

While Ryan ruled out negotiations with the Senate on its comprehensive measure, he did say that House Republicans were willing to tackle the issue in pieces. That's notable because some reform advocates in the GOP were concerned that their party would avoid the issue entirely because of this year's mid-term elections.

Ryan said he favors a way for immigrants living in the country illegally to "come out of the shadows" without granting them amnesty. Yet even the Senate proposal would only offer legal status after a rigorous, decade-long process. Other parts of the immigration bill are less controversial, such as granting more visas to foreign workers that are in high demand.

Congress pleasantly surprised many people by reaching a reasonable budget compromise last month, and Ryan led the GOP in that effort. He and House Republicans - especially those from Texas - should put the same energy into some type of immigration reform before the glare of re-election campaigns makes that sensible goal impossible.